Cold Hardy BLE Recommendations

[canadianplant]

Being inspired by Pauls and Tims yards I have become more interested in BLE. Ive tried over the years to find out some info on them but have only found a few things mentioned; the usual Rhodies. one or 2 types of holly and oddly enough they place Yucca in this group on some sites.

There are dozens of Rhodies to choose from, the problem here is availability. The only Holly I can find that is stereotypical are the Ilex x meserveae hybrids.

As far as other species, I cant find too much. Once you get into zone 4 the variety drops quite a bit as far as I have seen. First thing that comes to mind are the ultra hardy southern mag species like EB. They will need babying here, and also get too big to protect eventually, if it makes it here at all. The information is too unreliable. The hardy citrus are in the same situation. P trifolia is unreliable here, let alone loquat.

I do recall seeing some species of Pieris that some places should be hardy to zone 4, but not enough info to make me try one. The one species that comes to mind is gaultheria (wintergreen). They show up naturally near blueberries, but I cant see to get blueberries to grow well yet. They also dont really attain any decent size either.

Just wondering if anyone here has any insight into other BLE I can try? Im looking for zone 3 4 and colder end of zone 5 plants.

Thanks again

[Paul Ont]

Jesse-
I'm having a think about this right now. I think that I'm too cold for a So. mag to be anything more than a curiosity, so I'd rule them out up there too... Still, they are beautiful trees.

The Pieris you're thinking about is P. floribunda, a gorgeous, hardy, and unavailable species. If you happen across one I recommend that you try it! Oh, and that you tell me where you found it! http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/p/pieflo/pieflo1.html

I don't see why you wouldn't try Ilex pendunculosa, it may not make it, but would be interesting to test the northern limit of that species.

Let me think on some others. I don't know if you'll be able to find anything tree form that far north... I'll let you know if I have any other brilliant suggestions.

[canadianplant]

Thanks paul

That Ilex is really nice. Looks like F benjimina IMO. Never know what ill find up here sometimes, but I wont hold my breath.

Thats the pieris I was thinking of. Also like you said, unavailable. I found 2 places in the states, but more than likely they wont ship up here.

The closest to "tree form" ill get is some Rhodies (after a few decades) and the Blue princess, if it survives long term. Although, I always forget about boxwood. Nothing really special about em....

[igor.glukhovtsev]

Since I have a temperature down to minus 30C some winters but there are some BLE growing in my garden. My Aucuba has been growing for 20 years . Some protection should be provided. And English Box - why not? I have one plant 1.20 m height. And Eonimus fortunei would hardy under snow in your zone if trimmed a few time a year. Don't play around the grandiflora and the Ilex.... No chance there, I'm pretty sure. You might try some dwarf Chilean berberis. They are winter hardy in my town. Perhaps some daphne with protection. They are worse to try. And the Oregon grape! Don't forget this sucker!

[canadianplant]

I have thought about trying acuba over the years, but it seems once you get into zone 5 its hard for it to regenerate from winter damage. Again, my saving grace might be snow cover. At least it grows fairly slow.....

I mentioned southern mags, because they seem to be the bread and butter BLE as far as tropical looks go. I would probably get away with it for a year, then it would become an expensive annual. Some Holly should be ok here. Again my Blue Princess made it so far. The leaves are dark, but not black. Honestly I dont mind pushing the limits on a few things. Its interesting to think what I can get away with here..

Ive been on the fence about oregon grape. There are supposedly some hardier types out there now....

[TimMAz6]

No clue regarding BLEs in your area............your very cold........all I can think of is doing a mass planting of some seedlings and protecting them the first 2 or 3 winters then let mother nature select the best performer in your area. I'll look for some Ilex seeds around here.

[canadianplant]

Thanks Tim I would appreciate that..... Its hard to find anything because I think im smack dab on the edge, or just over most of BLE hardiness...